Question about making running gear.

[Gixer1K]

I'm ready to try my hand at making my own running gear.

What do you pro's use to cut out your aluminum and brass parts. I'm starting simple and making some turn fins, but it's difficult to cut accurately with my Dremel with cut-off wheel.

Thanks

[toyboy4145]

Gixer,
It depends on the thickness. For real thin stuff, I use shears. For thicker stuff, I use a jigsaw or a bandsaw. I usually use a jigsaw for about everything and then clean it up with files or the side of a dremel cutoff wheel. Just remember to count your fingers when you are done cutting.LOL

[eddieh]

Gix, depending on what tools you have at home, I have a mill, so that don't count, what works very well up to a decent gauge sheet metal is a thing called a nibbler, they are available sometimes at radio shack, definately through east wood catalogue (car stuff) and probably through harbor freight or any electronic parts store, they are used for the cutouts for meters, big switches etc, now if you have a bandsaw, put a fine tooth blade in it and it's fine, the jigsaw method is good, if you can clamp the work down, shears will cut a fairly heavy gauge metal, and if you want to try there are rotozip bits for your dremel tool, (least attractive option), search the site for "hardware" and you'll get some great idea's, oh by the way I'm not a pro, just an avid builder of boats... cheers eddie

[Ryan_from_OHio]

Depending on material thickness, I use a mini hacksaw purchased at the local hobby store. Also I have a 1/16" thick abrasive disk I have on a 6" bench grinder. Trusty dremel tool also. Drill press.

I use these for builing slotcars :)

I really like the disk on the bench grinder, just hang on good or you will break the disk!

[xerox76]

I could not live without my 99$ belt grinder and disk grinder from home depot

To hold the stainless steel and brass metal, i take 2 pieces of stock brass 1 inch sqaure, one on each side of my project metal and clamp down with a pair of vise grips, never a scratch again for pliers.

the belt sander does wonders for coming straight to the line i drew,

and the disk sander on the side had a table with adjustable angle to get a mean edge on the front of turn fins and such.


for 99 bucks its a steal

and for 79 you can get a great table jig saw for cutting,

180 later figuring an average of 150 per bought hardware kit, you make your money back in two boats.


http://www.homedepot.com/cmc_upload/HDUS/EN_US/asset/images/pii/1/7/5/8/A188571_3.JPG

http://www.homedepot.com/cmc_upload/HDUS/EN_US/asset/images/pii/7/3/8/3/A3837_3.JPG

[Gixer1K]

Thanks guys

Just what I need, another reason to visit Home Depot. I'm already into them for $1800 this year (wood floor in the living room).

In a couple weeks I'll post my results.

Thanks again

[Daddy O]

$1800? That All? Does that also included the flowers, door mats, fertilizer, house paint, all new hardware for the master bath and the American Flags needed for all the family members the wife purchased.

If so your are managing your pocketbook far better than I.